Policy Snapshot

Brief Description: This policy is designed to provide information that can be used to improve the quality of teaching and to facilitate an equitable and comprehensive evaluation of teaching across the graduate and undergraduate curricula of the University.

I. Introduction

The following policy has been developed in response to discussions with the University Faculty Council and the Faculty Senate Committee on Educational Policy and University Standards (EPUS), and is designed to provide information that can be used to improve the quality of teaching and to facilitate an equitable and comprehensive evaluation of teaching across the graduate and undergraduate curricula of the University.

II. Policy Statement

Responsibilities of the Primary Unit (Department)

It is the responsibility of each primary unit (department) to evaluate the teaching of its individual faculty members for the purpose of making informed decisions regarding all merit-based salary adjustments and reappointment, promotion, and tenure actions.

Each primary unit on the campuses shall identify the components to be used in the evaluation of teaching. For each faculty member, a minimum of three components shall be included. One of these must be a student evaluation, which must include, but is not limited to, the data from the Faculty Course Questionnaire or a similar, campus-approved system and form. Each primary unit, in keeping with its individual role and mission, may implement additional components. Such instruments must be sufficiently flexible to be applied across departmental workloads. Attached is a non-exhaustive list of suggested components that the unit could include (see Attachment A).

It shall be the responsibility of the primary unit to make available to each faculty member a complete description of each component to be considered. Each primary unit shall file with the appropriate dean of the school/college a description of the components that will be used in the evaluation of teaching, any required items to be included in the components, and the frequency of pre-tenure and post-tenure evaluations. The dean shall forward all statements from the primary units in the school/college to the chief academic officer of the campus, who in turn shall make the information available to the campus chancellor. Any elimination/revision of the components, or addition of new components, shall be reported in the same manner.

Faculty shall be advised of any elimination/revision of existing components, or addition of new components, no later than April 1 for application in the next academic year.

Responsibilities of the Faculty Member

The primary unit shall specify the documentation materials required of all faculty members. In addition to the required materials, the individual faculty member may submit any additional materials deemed appropriate to the evaluation process.

Implementation

A written description of the components for multiple means of teaching evaluation for each primary unit shall be distributed to the faculty of each primary unit.

It shall be the responsibility of the chief academic officer of the campus to facilitate effective and efficient implementation of this policy with the deans and the chairs of the primary units.

III. History

Initial Policy Effective: AY 1994-95

Revised July 1, 2009

Revised July 1, 2013

Attachment A: Multiple Means of Teaching Evaluation

A representative, but not exhaustive list of suggestions for components to be used in the evaluation of teaching:

Course syllabi and examinations

Student evaluations as reported on Faculty Course Questionnaires (FCQ's) or a similar, campus-approved system and forms

Grade distributions

Instructional materials

Scholarly research and publication on teaching

Self-evaluation or report

Student examination performance

Student mid-term evaluations

Evidence of risk taking to enhance learning

Curriculum development that enhances learning

Willingness to take training in teaching effectiveness and new technology